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Michigan Environmental Council lays out policy agenda for 2017-2018

Jan 30, 2017

Testing all children for lead exposure, passing a statewide code for septic systems and becoming the first state east of the Mississippi River to open an Office of Outdoor Recreation are among the priorities in a new policy agenda unveiled Monday by the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC).

Redirecting state government to better protect public health and the environment will be a major focus of MEC's work with the 99th Michigan Legislature, said Chris Kolb, the group's president.

"Healthy communities, clean air and water and protected public lands are all essential to a strong economic future for Michigan," Kolb said. "MEC and our member groups across the state will work to ensure that policymakers don't make the mistake of putting short-term growth ahead of protecting public health and the unique natural assets that are our best long-term economic assets."

The policy priorities for 2017-2018 were chosen in collaboration with MEC's nearly 70 member groups around the state.

"This agenda not only will guide our own work over the next two years, but also provides policymakers with a sense of where we're coming from and where we want to go," Kolb said. "We hope legislators and state officials find ideas here that resonate with them, and that they'll reach out to us to work together toward solutions."